NorCal Road Trip - Monterey Zoo and Villa Azteca, Salinas

 A visit to the Monterey Zoo, an entirely outdoor establishment displaying the cuter parts of the animal kingdom.

The animals are active in the morning, which is when we arrived. Not that we had a choice - they close quite early, shortly after the toddler's nap. Highlights include rambunctious monkeys, a devilish hyena, and an entire walkway of lion, tigers, and bears, oh my. No really, that’s what the sign said.

It's an easy day but the zoo walk has us primed for lunch. Villa Azteca’s menu makes the decision easy.

It's higher-end Mexican food, with plenty of tradition but they’re not afraid to add their own ideas.

Guacamole with Ribeye? Genius. Whoever decided it would be a good idea to pair a cool, sweet and limey mashed avocado with chunks of outside-crunch, inside-marble is a marvel. 

Two Tacos de Pollo Guisado are double the pleasure. Plump purses of shredded chicken are seasoned to perfection with chipotle spice and smoke, and they even make the tortillas by hand. Splash on some salsa - their smoke game is strong, and it’s so much more than just a side. 

Flautas flout the perceived need for meat. These handmade tortillas are fried to a golden crisp, and a simple stuffing of potato and mozzarella flaunts the savory corn. A green salsa adds a little spice to pull it all together.

The portions are generous and the food is filling, but you can still try the Mango Aguachile for dessert. It finishes like a smoothie-soup with soaking shrimp...which is a good thing...so much better than I'm making it sound.

I've always been loud and clear about my opinion of high-end Mexican food...more so than I should. But more and more often, I'm being proven so very wrong, and Villa Azteca is yet another exception to that rule. 

NorCal Road Trip - Monterey - Fujiyama, Salinas

A visit to the Dennis the Menace playground makes for a fantastic half-day. The playground is extensive, complete with a suspension bridge, a spine-smashing roller slide, and multiple jungle gym for kids of any age. Izzy went straight for the full merry-go-round, and I sat on it holding her while others made it spin. All the aerial hoop training was only for moments like this. 

There are paddle boats across the pond, my random, secret favorite thing to do on any body of water when paddle boarding can't be done. 

She's learned how to snap buckles this trip so she's trying on her own life jacket. 

It's a giant boat. In the shape of a duck. Izzy is a long for the ride, but let's be honest, this one is more for me. 

The next day starts bright and early, a race to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. 

It's a huge hit with babies and big people alike, a beautiful living ocean,

and my personal favorite, iridescent jellies lit up like a dream.

Izzy love the fishies, there's a lot of pointing and high-voice monologues that no one understands. 

For dinner we get Fujiyama, Salinas sushi vetted on Yelp. 

Though they're mainly hibachi, they do make some decent sushi. The Sushi for Two is made for two who are ravenous, with a sampling of every kind of fish and a couple of basic rolls. I'm spoiled by the South Bay, but this platter is just fine for its price point.

It's not hibachi, but they make a delicious Chicken Katsu Don for the landlubber. The chicken has some savor, the egg pulls it all together, and it's all quite light and fluffy to flavor the bed of rice beneath. 

A simple meal, and a meal I don't regret. I wouldn't go for the sushi again, as it may not be their forte, but the rolls look like fun, and I would try their hibachi anytime.